Automatic gas lighter



lAug. 2, 1932. G. HERES-TER 1,870,007

AUTOMATIC GAS LIGHTER .Filed April 27, 1929 2 Shee' .rs-Sh=.etv l ATIroRNEY Aug. 2, 1932. G. HERBSTER l 1,870,007

AUTOMATIC GAS LIGHTER Filed April 27, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 2, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT rOFFICE GEORGE HERBSTER, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE BAUER IGNITION COM- PANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO Aurom'ric Gas LIGHTER Application led April 27, 1929. Serial No. 358,521.

My invention is an improvement in auto- 'matic gas lighting attachments and relates more particularly to such devices used in connection vwith gas ranges, furnaces, heaters, and the like.

vOne of the objectsy of my invention is to selectively control the flow of gas through a plurality of burners and to ,automatically and simultaneously energize electrical circuits `for producing a high tension spark across one ofthe jets of the selected burner.

Another object of my invention is to enable the spark to be timed so that it will occur when the valve controlling the gas supply is moved to a predetermined position.

Another object of my invention is to regulate the duration of the spark as well as to regulate its time of occurrence. Y A further object of my invention is to prevent shock and ignition of gas-'leaking from a the valves.

Another object of the invention is to automatically control a high and a low tension.

circuit to produce a spark in the path of a jet of gas, when kthe valve controlling said jet is opened.

A further object of the invention is to construct an automatic gas lighter attachment for burners, which is compact, simple of construction and inexpensive to manufacture, and which may be quickly attached to various types of gas ranges, gas heaters and the like without alteration either of the atta-ch ment or the burner or heater.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become more rapparent as the following description of several embodiments thereof progresses, reference beine' made to the accompanying drawing in whic like reference characters are employed to designate like Vparts throughoutthe same.

In the drawings- Fig. 1 is a plan view of the preferred em bodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of an electrical. relav device forming a part of my invention.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical circuits employed as a'part of the in vention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig; 4 is an enlargedtransverse section on xline 4-4 of Fig. 1 showing the manner of this embodiment of my invention.,

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of another embodiment of the valve operated switch form-A ing a part ofmy invention, and V Fig. 9 is a front view of a valve of the reciprocating plug type and illustrates the manner of controlling the high and low tension circuits when this type of valve is employed.

In Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive I have illustrated the preferred embodiment of my invention in which the high tension circuits are remote from the vicinity of the valves controlling the `gas flow to the respective burners, thereby eliminating accidental ignition of leaking gas around lthe valves and preventing electrical shock to the operator as points adjacent the control valves.

In this embodiment the valves 1 and 2 are of the conventional rotating plug type and control the ow of -as to the respective burners 3 and 4. Each of the valves is provided with a radially extending contact arm 5 keved to move with the valve stem when the latter is rotated about its axis in opening and closing the valve. This contact arm is provided with an opening of a'polvgonal cross section to correspond with the shank on the lower end of the valve stem and its over the latter and is secured thereto bv means of a screw 6. An arm 7 of insulating material and of the samegeneral shape as the contact arm 5 is also fitted over the shank of the valve stem and .is secured in place against the contact 5 by thescrew 6. although the opening on the insulating arm 7 is oii'set slightly about its axis when the arm and contact are assem- In this manner, the overlapping edges 8 of each of the contacts 5 engage the respective switch arms 9 in electrical contact when the respective valves 1 and 2 are rotated in a clockwise direction in Fig. 1 to open the said valves. This contact between the contact arm 5 and the switch arm 9 closes the selected low tension circuit and energizes the selected relay to close the high tension circuit through the burner corresponding to the valve that has been opened. t

When the valve is moved from open to closed position the edge 10 of the insulated arm 7 also engages the switch arm 9, but not in electrical Contact. It will be seen then that the low tension circuit is closed only when the valve is opened. Each of the switch arms 9 is of strip metal, one end being seated in a post 11. and the other end bent slightly outwardly from the burner, as illustrated, so that the period of actual contact between the switch arm and the arm 5 on the valve stem will be greater when the valve is moved to extreme open position, than when it is moved to extreme closed position. Suitable springs 12 engage opposite sides of the switch arm 9 to normally return it to neutral position as shown to the left in Fig. 1. These springs are supported in posts 13 of rectangular cross section which are in turn seated in rectangular sockets or openings in the cross member 14 of the switch base 15, and are thereby held in the proper position at all times to exe slight tension on the opposite sides of the switch arm.

The switch bases 15 are preferably slidably mounted on a suitable strip or support 16 extending along the front of the burner frame and in line with the valves, and may be adjusted longitudinally of the support by means of the screws 17 passing between the spaced base members 18. In this manner the switch arms 9 may be adjusted toward or awav from the contacts 5 on the valve stems, whereby the period during which the low tension circuit is closed and consequently the duration of the igniting spark may be predetermined by the operator. In this manner also the spark may be controlled to occur when the valve has been opened to a predetermined position. due to the slight curvature of the outer end of the switch arm 9.

I have also provided means actuated by the closing of the low tension circuit, to produce a hot spark at the desired burner. This 4means includes an electrical relay device and a source of high tension current.

The relay device comprises an electromagnetic coil 19 suspended from a suitable bracket 20, which is secured to a wall of an enclosing casing (not shown) by means of the screw 21. An armature 22 is pivotally connected to the bracket at 23V and carries a cross arm of insulating material 24 at its outer end. A spring contact 25 is secured to the armature between the armature and the cross arm by the screw 26 and extends inwardly to engage a contact 27 when 'the coil is energized.

The spring contact 25 is connected to the armature and bracket which are grounded to the burner frame, as indicated at 28 in Fig. 3. I have provided a pair of contacts 29 and 30 supported from the bracket but electrically insulated therefrom and extending outwardly at substantially right angles to the axis of the coil. These contacts are in the path of movement of the cross arm 24 and are bridged bythe metallic strip 31 carried by the cross arm when the coil is energized to lift the armature. One of these contacts 29 is connected by a wire 32 to the electrode at the burner, while the other contact 30 is connected by a wire 33 to one side of the secondary winding of the high tension coil S. The contact 27 is connected through a wire 34 to the other side of the coil S and to the interrupter 35.

Referring now more particularly to the diagrammatic view in Fig. 3. itwill be seen that my invention may be operated from the house 'lighting circuit through a step down transformer T delivering for convenient use a voltage of from 6 to 9 volts from the secondary. It is to be understood that the invention may also be operated from a battery of dry cells (not shown) in place of the step down transformer. When the transformer is used, however, the secondary is grounded at one side to the burner frame, the other side being connected b v a wire 36' to the primary P of the high tension coil. and thence through the interrupter 35 and wire 34 to the contact 27. A wire 37 also leads from the wire 36 to the relay coils 19, the other side of each coil 19 being connected by a wire 38 to the respective switch arms 9 of the respective burners 3 and 4. From the switch arms 9 the low tension circuit is completed through the contacts 5 to the grounded frames of the burner.

Thus when the valve 2 is opened the low tension circuit will be completed to energize the relay coil 19 to the extreme right in Fig. 3. whereupon the armature 22 of that relay will be moved to engage the contacts 25 and 27 and to bridge the contacts 29 and 30 to complete the high tension circuit. Upon closing the high tension circuit a hot lpark will jump the gap between the end or' the electrode 39 and the grounded burned 4 simultaneously with the admission of gas through the valve 2 to the jets of the said burner.

If the operator desires to use burner 3 he opens the valve l. whereupon the lett hand relay 19 is energized through the low tension circuit and the high tension circuit to the electrode 40 of burner 3 is completed to produce a hot spark at that point. It is obvious that any number of burners may be employed in carrying out my invention, in-

. cluding an oven burner, if desired.

An armored flexible insulated cable 41 may be employed to protect the wires leading to the burners and low tension switches against heat and electrical leakage. I n this embodiment of my invention the step doWn transformer, the spark coil and the relays are preferably mounted in and enclosed by a casing (not shown), which may be attached to the burner frame or other part of a gas range or heater at a point remote from the valves. In this manner all high tension wires and contacts are remotely located to `prevent possible ignition of leaking gas at points other than at the burners. Y

I have also provided means for anchoring A the spark electrodes 39 and 40 in the respective burners. This means is shown in detail in Fig. 4, and includes a' split plug of porcelain or other high grade insulating material. The plug is split transversely into upper and lower portions 42 and 43, having aligned openings for receiving the electrode 39 or 40. The lower portion 43 of the plug is flanged annularly at 44 to engage the under surface of the burner, and the side walls of the upper portion are inclined slightly downwardly to facilitate the removal of that portion from the central opening in the v burner. Each electrode is'bent at substantial right angles, as shown, its vertical portion eX- tending down through the openings in the plug sections. The upper porton of the vertical portion is provided with a washer 45 of polygonal cross section which seats in a socket 46 and anchors the electrode against rotation in the plug. The lower end of the electrode is screw threaded and extends through the bottom of the plug to receive the wire from the spark coil. A nut 47 is fitted over the threaded end of the'electrode to clamp the plug sections together.

The operation ofthe embodimentshown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive is as follows- Assuming the operator desires to ignite the gas flow from burner 3 and the valve 1 is in the position shown, he grasps the valve handle and turns it in a clockw'se direction. As the valve is thus turned the free edge 8 of the contact arm 5 engages the curved end of the switch arm 9 and moves it to the upper' dotted line position, ig. 1, to complete the low tension circuit as the arm 5 passes beyond the switch arm 9 the upper spring 12 returns the arm 9 to neutral position and the low tension circuit is broken. Completion of this circuit energizes the respective relay 19 and instantaneously closes the high tension circuit through the spark coil S and electrode 39, causing` a hot spark to jump the.

'gap between the end of the electrode and the burner. It will be noted that the electrode is positioned to deliver the spark across 5 one of the jets in the burner at a point where j manner, the burner is lighted instantaneously with the movement of the valve toward the extreme open position, affording protection against misfiring, which might be caused if the electrode delivered its spark across a jet at the rear of the burner. When the operator desires to extinguish the burner, he turns the valve in a counterclockwise direction, the advanced overlapping edge 10 of the insulated arm 7 engages the switch arm 9 and moves it to the lower dotted line postion in Fig. 1 against the tension ofthe spring 12. If it is desired to extend the duration of the spark, the base on which the arm 9 and springs 12 are mounted, may be adjusted toward the valve the desired distance.

I have only described the operation of one of the valves and the apparatus associated W.' th it for producing the spark at the corresponding burner. It is obvious that I may employ a plurality of burners for a gas range, including an oven burner, the valve controlling each burner, likewise controlling the high and low tension circuitsto produce a hot spark at its respective burner at a predetermined t`me without interfering in any way with the simultaneous or separate operation of any or all of the remaining valves and associated apparatus.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 5 to 7 inclusive which illustrates another embodiment of my invention, I have provi ded means for controlling high and low tension electri'caljcircuits, which means is actuated by movement of the valves 1 and 2 respectively. This means includes the switches 48 and 49, each comprising a sw.' tch arm 50 pivotally mounted on the base 5l of the casing by means of the pin 52 and insulated therefrom by the bushing 52a. The arm 50 isof metal and contacts with an insulated contact 53 on the base, which is connected in the secondary or high tension circuit. A member 54 is carried by the arm 50 of the switch and is of insulated material. The upper edge of the member 54 carries a contact bar 55, which is adapted to engage and bridge the contacts 56 and 57 carried by the insulated switch frame or casing 58.

It will be noted that the switch arm 5, as it is moved about its axis, engages a strip 59 pivotally mounted on the pin 52 whic carries the switch arm 50, and completes the low tension circuit through the Contact 53 and switch arm 50 to th-e grounded frame of the burner. If desired, the pin 52 and contact 53 may extend downwardly and may be adiustably mounted in a longitudinal slot 60 formed in the casing bottom 51 and the insulated base 61, and may be adjusted toward and away from the contact arm 5, whereby the duration of Contact, and consequently the duration ofthe spark at the burner, between the arm 5 and the switch arm 50 may be predetermined and timed to occur Within suitable limits.

Suitable springs 62 are mounted on the base 51 ofthe casing and engage the opposite sides 5 of the insulated member 54 normally returnthe valve is moved in this direction and the contact 5 over-rides the end of the trip, the

spring 64 will return the trip to its normal position against the stop 63. The opposite edge of the insulated arm 8 engages the opposite fuse of the trip on the return movement of the valve to closed position.

As the switch arm 50 is swung from neutral position, as in the left of Fig. 5, to the contacting position in the right of Fig. 5, the contact bar 55 will bridge the sprin@r contacts carried 56 and 57 by the casing and t e switch arm 50 will engage the contact 53 in electrical contact. Thus it will be seen that the high and low tension circuits are energized for a predetermined period only during the movement of the valve toward its eXtreme open position.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 7 which is a diagrammatic view of the electrical circuits forming a part o this embodiment of my invention, it will be seen th'at the invention may be operated either from a battery of dry cells providing a low voltage for operating the spark coil or may be operated di-`l rectly from a house lighting circuit.

In the latter instance the primary of a step-down transformer 65 is connected to the house lighting circuit, and one side of the secondary is grounded as at 66. The other side of the secondary is connectedi by means of a wire 67 through the primary of the spark coil, and through an interrupter 68 to a wire 69.. The wire 69 is connected by means of a conductor 70 to the contacts 53 which are engageable by the switch arms 50, the circuit being completed through the contact arms 5 which are grounded to the burner frame as is the wire 66. The secondarv circuit of the spark coil is also connected through the conductor 70 to each of the switcharms 5 and thence through the contacts 5 to the ground, when the contacts engage the respective switch arms 50. The other side of the secondary of the high tension circuit is connected through a wire 71 to each ofthe contacts 57 carried by the respective switch casings. Conductors 72 connect each of the respective contacts 56 with the electrodes on the respective burners 3 and 4, each electrode free to move about the pin relai being spaced a sufficient distance from the desired portion of the respective burners to permit a hot spark to jump from the said' electrode to the burner which is rounded, when the secondary circuit is energized.

I have provided aduct 80 of porcelain or other similar material to protect the conductors carried thereby, from heat and to prevent accidental contact by the user with the high tension conductors. This duct 8O communicates with a housing 81 extending along the front of the range as illustrated in Fig. 5.

In Fig. 8 I have illustrated another manner in which the switch 50 may be mounted in the casing. In this embodiment the contact arm 5 enga es a metallic extension 75 extending upwar ly on one side of the insulated member 54, when the valve is opened, but engages the insulation of the member 54 when the valve is turned to closed position.

In Fig. 9 I have illustrated my invention applied to a gas heater or other device 1n which the gas control valve is of the reciproeating plug type and is indicated generally at 90. In this form of my invention the switch controlling the low tension circuit is similar to that shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, and consists of a switch arm 91 of spring metal mounted in a support 92. Y Suitable springs 93 engage each side of the switch arm to normally return it to a neutral position approximately at right angles to the path of movement of the contact 94. The contact 94 is carried by the sleeve 95 and is backed by an insulated block 96. A spirally grooved sleeve 97 is telescopically adjustable on the UAvalve stem 98 and may be secured in the de- Aby a suitable clamp and is provided with a pin or projection 101 extending into the slot 102 of the sleeve 95 to permit rotation of the said sleeve when the valve stem is rotated. Pins 103 are carried by the sleeve 95 and extend inwardly into the spiral grooves of the sleeve 97.

Thus as the valve wheel 104 is rotated in a countercloclrwise direction to open the valve, the contact 94 will move to the right in the figure and engage the contact 91 to complete the low tension circuit, in a manner similar to the form illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive. When the wheel is turned to close the -valve the sleeve 95 will moveto the left and sion circuit during the movement of the sleeve The embodiment illustrated in Fig. 9 is adapted for use with the circuit shown in Fig. 3, the contact 94 being grounded to the sleeve 95 which is in turn grounded to the valve.

It will be seen that a device embodying my invention can readily be attached to gas ranges, furnaces, gas heaters or the like, of diiferent makes, without altering the construction of such articles. By my invention all high tension conductors, except the sparking tip ofl the electrodes, are enclosed for protection against heat and accidental contact with the user.

Various changes maybe made in the details of construction without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim: .c

1. The combination with a burner, a low tension circuit, a high tension circuit, energized upon the energization of said low tension circuit, an electrode on said burner, and connected in said high tension circuit to deliver a hot spark adjacent one of the jets of said burner, and a valve controlling the flow of fuel to the burner, of a switch operable by said valvento directly energize the low and high tension circuits, said switch being adjustable toward and away from the valve, to predetermine the time and duration of said spark.

2. An automatic electric igniter, comprising in combination with a burner and a valve for controlling the fuel supply to said burner, a contact projecting from said valve and movable with the movable member of the valve, a second contact mounted in the vicinity of said valve and having ay portion extending into the path of movement of said first named contact, means for normally disposing said second Contact in a predetermined relative position with respect to said rst contact when the valve is closed, and means for adj usting said second contact across the path of movement of said first named Contact.

3. An automatic electric igniter, comprising in combination With a burner and a valve for controlling the fuel supply to said burner,

i a contact projecting from said valve and movable with the movable member of the valve, a second contact mounted in the vicinity of said valve and having a portion extending into the path of movementof said first named contact, means for normally disposing said second contact in a predetermined relative position With respect to said first contact when the valve is closed, and means for adjusting said second contact across the path of movement of said first named Contact, said first named contact electrically engaging the extended portion of the second named contact throughout only a predetermined movement of the valve to admit fuel to the burner.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aflix my signature.

GEORGE HERBSTER. 

